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Choose Your College

Find the school that's right for you.

Choosing which college or university you want to attend is one of the biggest decisions you will make in your life. Therefore, you shouldn't settle on a college or university without first considering all of your options.

Remember, your goal is to find the school that is right for your needs, not those of your friends and family.

You should think about these things:

• Does the school offer a quality education?
• What are the admission requirements and can you meet them?
• How much does it cost to get an education there and can you afford it?
• Where is the school located?
• How big is the college or university?

How do you figure out the answers to all these questions?

• Use the Internet. You can find out a lot about a college or university through Web sites — some even offer virtual tours online.
• Ask your high school counselor or librarian for college guidebooks. They're an easy way to gather information about numerous colleges and universities in one resource. A number of guidebooks are also available on CD-ROM and on the Web.
• Attend college fairs. Talk to your high school counselor or contact a local college admissions office to find out if any college fairs are scheduled for your area.
• Talk to your family, friends, and relatives. Do you know anyone who went to a school you're considering? They can tell you about their experiences and give you valuable firsthand insight.
• Contact the admissions offices of the schools on your list and ask for catalogs, applications, and any other information they have about attendance (costs, financial aid, housing, graduation rates, and placement rates are a good place to start).
• Check into visiting the schools on your list. See if you can meet with an admissions counselor. Call the admissions office to find out about college tours and a convenient time to visit with a counselor or admissions officer.
• Take some time to look around without a guide on your campus visits. See what the school is like beyond the tour. Talk to students on campus. Try to get a feel for the place. And find out if you can visit the dorms while you're there as well.

See also

• Internet Resources — Choosing Your School